I'm New
We’re so glad you’re here and can’t wait to meet you. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time, new to the area, or looking for a church family, you are welcome here! We understand that visiting a new church can be a big step, so we want to help you feel right at home from the moment you arrive.
Our Mission
To win Carlisle for Christ by living, loving and giving like Jesus.
Our Values
- Live like Jesus – we believe in a lifelong discipleship journey as we learn to become Christlike through Bible study & application, prayer and service.
- Love like Jesus – through sharing life, faith and Jesus with one another, reaching out to our non-church family, friends and neighbours.
- Give like Jesus – giving financially as God has provided, and using our God given gifts, abilities and time to serve others.
Beliefs
We are a Bible-believing community of disciples of Jesus Christ, believing him to be the only way to God. We recognise the need to be filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit so that we can live a life that is pleasing to God through faith in Christ, and serve others by sharing the love of Christ.
For a fuller summary of beliefs visit https://www.elim.org.uk/Articles/417857/Our_Beliefs.aspx
Meet the Team
Pastors and Elders
Our Pastors and Elders oversee the whole church. They help guide and support the congregation by providing spiritual direction, teaching, and care. Elders make important decisions about vision and how the church operates.
David Allen
Senior Pastor
John McDonough
Elder (serving in Paraguay)
Christine Orr
Assistant Pastor
John Ranson
Elder
Chris Vernon
Elder
Mal Tabb
Elder
Felix Nabena
Elder
Rachel McDonough
Elder (serving in Paraguay)
Observing Elders
An observing elder is someone in the church who is learning and gaining experience to become a full elder. They watch, listen, and participate in leadership activities but don’t yet have the full responsibilities or decision-making authority of an elder.
Dumoateli Iboroma
Fiona Sheridan
Staff Team
We are blessed to be in a position where we can employ staff to oversee key areas of ministry.
Jane Fearon
Christians Against Poverty Debt Coach
Jill Wheatley
Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre Manager
Jean Ranson
Family Ministry Coordinator
Ruth Whiffen
Administrator and PA to the Senior Pastor
Our History
The Elim Pentecostal Church was started as a result of a series of Evangelistic meetings in the city in December, 1926, by George Jeffreys, moving into it’s own premises in West Walls (now a car park!) in April 1927. In 1979 the fellowship moved into it’s existing Church building taking over and developing a Church of England property – and became known as St Paul’s Elim Pentecostal Church.
Over the years major upgrading of the listed building has taken place, and in addition to St Paul’s, the Church bought another building 200 yards away on Spencer Street to house the ministry staff and provide extra facilities for youth and children’s work.
The Fellowship became “cell based” in 1996, and now the majority of committed members and attenders attend a cell group. The cell groups meet in various homes around the city, and in 2020 around 130 people are involved in 12 adult cell groups, apart from the other midweek gatherings for youth, young adults and older people.
The name of the Church was changed from “St Paul’s Elim Pentecostal Church” to “Elim Community Church, Carlisle” in 2001, to better express our ministry ethos. The work has grown steadily over the past 30 years, and in 2019 the decision to hold 2 services on a Sunday was made to accommodate the numbers attending and to encourage further growth.
